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*****LOCATION REMINDER*****

Rotary Club of Colorado Springs Friday, November 6th will meet at

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels

1775 E. Cheyenne Mt. Blvd, Colorado Springs

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Join Us November 13th - Libby Rittenberg will discuss "Beyond the Headlines: Economic Realities of Immigration"

Register here: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/3250/Event/nov-13th---beyond-the-headlines--economic-realities-of-immigration

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Heritage Moment: Susan Engfer, a Rotarian with a Vision

Susan Engfer was a member of our club from 1989 to 2005. In 1988 she became the first female president and CEO of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Her career started with the instincts of a natural Rotarian. While working at the Santa Barbara Zoo in 1969, she set up a rehabilitation program for seabirds hurt in a devastating oil spill.

When she arrived in Colorado Springs, the zoo had concrete enclosures and steel-barred cages. Susan wrote the zoo's first master plan, launched a capital campaign that brought it back to financial stability, and moved it toward open, naturalistic habitats. Primate Woods, Asian Highlands, Wolf Woods, My Big Backyard, and the African Rift Valley (home of the much-loved giraffe feeding) all grew out of her vision. She also founded a conservation center for the research and breeding of endangered species.

She was active in our club as well. She helped host the 1991 Rotary Zoo Fest, which drew more than 700 Rotarians and guests and raised $9,000 for the zoo. She was also involved in the 2005 restoration of the Mountaineer train engine.

Susan saw needs and did something about them. Her legacy lives on at the zoo and in the example she set for every Rotarian.

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Dear District 5470 Rotarians, Fellow District Governors and Rotary Friends,

Several of you have reached out asking how you can help with the flooding disaster affecting Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and I want to personally thank you for your concern and generosity.

Two Rotary clubs in my district serve the Pagosa Springs community, and their members are assessing the damage and identifying where assistance is most urgently needed.

This morning, I spoke with the local club president, our Assistant Governor, and District Governor-Elect Barbara Bowman about the situation and how we can support the recovery efforts.

To help, you can donate through the Pagosa Rotary Community Assistance Fund, administered by the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs through its charitable organization.

Please visit:

Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs:

https://pagosaspringsrotary.org/donations

Look for information on donating to the Pagosa Rotary Community Assistance Fund.

As the local Rotarians complete their assessment of community needs, we will continue exploring additional resources, including a potential Rotary Foundation disaster response grant and assistance through ShelterBox.

One of the greatest privileges of serving as District Governor is experiencing the extraordinary network of Rotarians who are always willing to step forward when others need help.

Whether we are separated by a few miles or several states, our shared commitment to Service Above Self brings us together.

Thank you for caring about our Pagosa Springs community and for demonstrating what it truly means to be part of the Rotary family.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Donna L. Hood
District Governor 2026–2027
Rotary International District 5470

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Kelly Steele is the chairperson of Rotary Champions, a Rotary organization that recognizes outstanding Pikes Peak area student-athletes who also spend a significant time doing charitable/volunteer/community service work. Every year, Rotary Champions holds a ceremony that recognizes these student-athletes, with the top male and female student athletes receiving a $10,000 scholarship. The Rotary Champions Board consists of two people from each Pikes Peak area rotary club.  Currently, our Rotary Champions Board only has one person (Kelly Steele) from our Downtown Rotary Club. Kelly is hoping to recruit another member of our club to the Rotary Champions Board. If you have an interest in helping student-athletes who have significantly helped our community through their volunteer hours - and hearing their inspiring stories.                                                     

- please contact Kelly Steele -  thorsteele@hotmail.com

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Like, follow, and share to help us spread the power of Service Above Self!

Joe Reagan 

2026-2027 President

The Rotary Club of Colorado Springs

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